Just hours ahead of the opening of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the leaders of three key organisations that will be at the Maracanã this evening met to celebrate the Olympic spirit on the host city’s iconic Ipanema beach.

United Nations (UN) secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach, and president of the Rio 2016 Organising Committee Carlos Arthur Nuzman all took their turn carrying the Rio 2016 torch ahead of its arrival at the opening ceremony.

The sacred flame’s arrival in Rio de Janeiro marks the end of the 95-day torch relay, during which it travelled 26,000 kilometres through all five Brazilian regions, bringing celebration to participants in 325 locations across all 26 states, as well as the country’s Federal District.

The public’s response to the torch relay has been overwhelmingly positive, surpassing even the Rio 2016 organisers’ expectations.

With Dois Irmãos mountain behind, Bach carried the torch in Ipanema (Photo: Rio 2016/Andre Luiz Mello

“There hasn’t been anything like it in the history of Brazil,” said Mr Nuzman. “The Olympic torch has united the country.

“Millions of people have shown, through sun and rain, in difficult conditions, that above all else Brazilians have joined together behind the Olympic Games. That was our idea, our aim, and we succeeded. And this is the best message that the Olympic torch has left for Brazil, as an example of how to unite a country,” he added.

Bach was passed the torch by Nuzman, and highlighted the symbolic importance of a flame that was also carried by Raissa de Lima and Thaiza da Silva, two youngsters who are taking part in social programmes combining sport and civic responsibility.

“It’s always exciting to hold the torch and see the flame, and be running together with the UN secretary-general and two girls who represent support of social projects. It has a very special significance. I’m sure that the Olympic Games will be à la Brasil,” said the IOC president.